Mario Frera Movies
- 1960
Vittorio Gassman showcases his comic talents in this farce by director Dino Risi about the growing success of a con artist. Gerardo (Gassman) starts out as a vaudeville performer and noting that acting abilities can be used for less legit purposes, he creatively assumes different guises in order to con people out of anything from a pair of shoes to ultimately mucho lira. In one of his escapades he passes himself off as Greta Garbo, donning an appropriate disguise, and has all manner of paparazzi ready to take the bait. He did not learn all his inventive and often spontaneous tricks alone, his cellmate Chinotto (Peppino de Filippo) was a great mentor. But even his cellmate could not coach him on how to remain single after his girlfriend Annalise (Anna Maria Ferrero) sets her heart on matrimony. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio Gassman, Dorian Gray, (more)
- 1960
In this war drama, a band of Italian soldiers, elated to hear that the war is finally over, promptly desert and head for home. Only two soldiers remain loyal to the army and they promptly begin heading back to the main forces. En route they are enticed by partisan soldiers who want the two to join them. Later they are joined by more soldiers. One of them is arrested by the Fascists for concealing an American paratrooper. When the two finally return, the Germans force them to work on a road gang. They are attacked by partisans, and one of the soldiers escapes. His partner is shot so the soldier joins the rebels. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alberto Sordi, Martin Balsam, (more)
- 1954
Heralded as a musical comedy, Tarantella Napoletana is actually a plotless revue. The film sets out to celebrate the music and comedy tastes of the citizens of Naples. The 16 sketches that follow do just that, though some more effectively than others. While some of the individual turns are forgettable, they are redeemed by the excellent work provided by the Armando Curcio chorus and the Gauthier Ballet. The entrepreneurial Curcio also wrote the book and lyrics for Tartentella Napoletana, and, for what it was worth, was credited for the film's "story." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
